Loyal Bear 72

I really don't know what releasing defenders is going to achieve. Gross over-reaction to be fair. Football clubs wouldn't react in this way anyway so hard to see why your considering it as a viable option. Our biggest problem lies in our overall play and most of our players are either off form, not gelling or just not cutting it - however it is you want to look at it. Let's face it, if we won the midfield battle yesterday and if we were able to keep possession, press and create chances we wouldn't be having these threads.

When I opened this thread I thought it was gonna say "A Draw"

Has to be the title. 55 would be in the bag. Stops their "run" of titles. Allows access to Champ league and prevents their access to it. 4 games of hurt would be worth it in the end.

Should it not be the younger CH as in Kiernan who is keeping pace with the striker. Instead Kiernan stops just as the pass is played through. Goal wasn't Hill's fault and it could be argued Wes could have done better as Boyd's shot wasn't that powerful. Think you need to watch the goal again. I've just made the point in another thread but I will say it again here. Hill has not been directly responsible for a goal we've conceded in a competitive match. He seems to be the cause of our defensive issues even when he hasn't played and I reckon alot of that is only because of his age. After a decent game against Peterhead he deserved the chance to carry that into the next league match. Instead, we reverted to a central defensive pairing we all know doesn't work.

Agreed on the Peterhead part but it was confidence and momentum for him to take into the next game. I also agree Hill should not NOW be a starter as we have signed Senderos but these games fell before that and he should have started in them (at least the first of the 2 to see how he done). In my opinion it was wrong to play Keirnan and Wilson together in the 2 games after Hill had played well in the cup. As of now my CH pairing would be in this order from first to last Senderos / Kiernan Senderos / Wilson Hill / Kiernan Hill / Wilson Senderos / Hill (slow but I'm sure they at least have a presence at corners and cross balls) Kiernan / Wilson If you watch the goal again Kiernan stops running when the ball was played through which meant Boyd was left free to pick up the pass and left Hill to challenge Boyd alone. The actual quality of the pass through was enough for Boyd to get to it and get a shot off.

Hill wasn't fast enough to make a challenge but the actual goal wasn't his fault. That's my opinion anyway. And I would have said the manager was wrong to drop Hill with his experience in 2 league matches and revert to a defensive pairing we all know don't cut it. Hill done well against Peterhead and should have played alongside Kiernan in the next league match. Instead, Hill lost match fitness which at his age is pretty important.

I agree he would have been.

He didn't do much wrong against Killie imo. Think people are desperate to blame our defensive issues on him even when he doesnt play. I wouldn't blame him for any goal we've conceded in a competitive game.

Outside of the Burnley friendly has Hill actually done anything wrong? Other than be 37 that is?

Bombscare? That's very harsh. If he is fit and still has his pace I think he would be a good fit in Warburton's setup. He was comfortable with the ball at his feet, his passing was decent and he could also move forward with the ball.

Club1872 had leaflets on each seat at the last home match. I think it would be a good idea to include some advice to supporters on the next one. "We would encourage all Rangers fans not to purchase either the Daily Record or The Sun newspapers or use their websites. We would also encourage all Rangers supporters not to purchase the current club kits until disputes with other parties have been resolved." We need try new ways at getting the message out to all supporters and not just those that frequent Rangers forums.

I agree with all of this but I think Courtyard Bear was meaning it's likely we will be lower than second at the end of October.

Expecting failure is a defeatist attitude in my opinion. I think it's too early to say it will be a miracle if we're second at the end of October. I'd still say there is a good chance we will be.

Being negative is one thing but that is just defeatist. We can't play any poorer than we have been and we are still managing to sit second. There is no way we are going to struggle like this all season and there is a long way to go. Are we playing poorly just now? Yes Will we sign a new defender? Yes Will new players get fitter and start to gel better? Yes Will Waghorn and Windass and Holt be back from injury soon? Yes Will we improve? Of course we will Of course I'm disappointed to the start but I have faith in our manager and our squad.

To be fair I don't think the sending off made much difference with the way Killie were defending in the 2nd half. Just meant they were lighter up front but they still made it hard for us to get the through them. It's only the manager who needs to have the ideas on how to improve and fix the problems. Personally I think he needs to be willing to change formation and tactics.

Not good enough but can't really fault James Tavernier. Again showed the level of player he is and was easily our best player for 4th successive league game of the season. Too many others are just not doing it.

Can't afford to drop Barton as he is still working towards full fitness and he does more than a lot are giving him credit for. When Barton has been poor so have most of the team. Give him a chance to get fit and up to speed. There is no denying his ability.

He certainly was. My MOTM for 3rd succesive league match. Saying that Kranjcar came on and played a part in both goals so he was important as were Wes's 2 cracking saves.

Even if he was partially at fault for their goal I would say Tav was our best over the 90. In fact I would say he's been our best over the 90 in all 3 league games so far.

He's definitely not fit and at times its obvious. I thought he had a poor first half, good second half today. Bit harsh to say he's done nothing which is why I was defending him, but I agree we are expecting more from quite a few players including him.

I agree with a lot of what the OP says but totally disagree with Barton. 2nd half Hamilton and 2nd half today I thought he was excellent. It's not enough I understand that but that goes for he whole team. That's 3 games we've only performed for 45 mins which isn't good enough. On top of that, Hill needs to play until we bring in another CH. And MOH needs to start especially when we are at home and teams are tougher to bread down.

My 11 would be: Foderingham; Wallace; Kiernan; Hill; Tavernier; Barton, Halliday, Rossiter, McKay, Dodoo, O'Halloran

Tav has been defensively sound so far this season. MOTM in the Hamilton game for me. As for Wallace, if he plays to his best he is easily in our top 3.

What I mean was I don't think it's a case of us being sussed by the opposition rather than us letting ourselves down on the day. I think that if our players and team were fully fit and playing to their ability then we would have beaten them regardless. That is barring some bad luck of course. You could also say Hamilton were lucky that we lost Waghorn and had to play the remainder with 10 men.

Your saying the team has us sussed but your also saying the players didn't get out of gear. Can't be both of these. If we play to our abilities and our style with the squad we have we should improve quickly and so will results. Fans need to be patient. It's one league game that is all it is. We played ok, our defence played ok (even though some have unjustly slaughtered them), and we were caught out using our subs early. This team will only get fitter and better. The fans need to have more faith in the players and the manager and stay positive. There is a long way to go.